Disaster Recovery News

Family, football, pumpkin pie, stuffing, cranberries and “the bird”: these components, and more, help make up the day we call “Thanksgiving.” In a flurry to be prepared for this special Thursday, many people focus on what they need to do to get the food on the table in time for dinner without any major culinary disasters. What many do not think about, however, is safety. Coincidentally, Thanksgiving is one of the busiest days for firefighters and emergency workers. Help give these workers a break and keep your family safe with the following Thanksgiving Day tips.

Tips for Having a Safe and Fire-Free Thanksgiving Holiday

• Keep a fire extinguisher nearby. Do not use water to try to extinguish a grease fire; this will only cause the fire to spread.
• Make sure your smoke alarms work.
• No wizard sleeves. While cooking, make sure you wear sleeves that fit snuggly around your arms and wrists, or wear shirts with short sleeves. Shirts and dresses with flowing sleeves can easily catch on fire over a hot stove.
• Invest in timers. Use timers to help you keep track of all the food cooking in the ovens and on stovetops.
• Keep any non-food items away from the stove. This includes potholders, plastic wrap, bags and so on.
• Turn the handles of pots and pans inwards. This will help prevent having someone accidentally bump into them.
• Do not leave cooking food and candles unattended.
• Double check to see that the stove and oven are turned off.
• Designate an adult to do a walkthrough of the home after the guests leave to make sure all candles are extinguished.
• When frying a turkey, do so at least 10 feet away the home and other flammable surfaces. Make sure the turkey is fully defrosted before placing it in the hot oil, and monitor the fryer the whole time it is in use and when the oil is hot.
• Clean your oven before and after Turkey Day. Bits of grease that remain in the oven can easily catch fire.
• Do not allow children, pets or many guests in the kitchen area. This will help prevent accidents.

Read more Thanksgiving safety tips from the American Red Cross.

Learn more about protecting your home during the holiday season.

[photo: Diana]

Deep frying your turkey has become a popular trend across the United States. However, as you may have seen in the video above, many dangerous risks are involved.

The Los Angeles Fire Department’s blog has posted some tips about deep-frying safely. If one is going to fry their bird, keep the following in mind:

“Turkey fryers should always be used outdoors, on a solid level surface a safe distance from buildings and flammable materials.

Never use a turkey fryer on a wooden deck, under a patio cover, in a garage or any enclosed space.

Remember that overfilling the fryer will lead to danger.

Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts when touching pot or lid handles. Wear long sleeves and safety goggles to protect you from oil splatter.

Make sure the turkey is completely thawed. The National Turkey Federation recommends refrigerator thawing and to allow approximately 24 hours for every five pounds of bird.

Be careful with marinades. Remember that oil and water don’t mix. Even a small amount of moisture can cause oil to spill over, leading to a fire or explosion hazard.

Never leave the fryer unattended. Frying a turkey requires full-time adult attention.

Never let children or pets near the fryer when in use. Even hours after use, the oil inside can remain dangerously hot.

Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby, and know its proper use and limitations. Never use water to extinguish a grease fire!

If a turkey fryer fire occurs, have some immediately call 9-1-1.

Use your best judgment. If the fire is manageable and you can do so safely, use the all-purpose fire extinguisher.”

More on protecting your home during the holiday season.